Blancpain Traditional Chinese Calendar for Only Watch

Blancpain presents a one-off Traditional Chinese Calendar for Only Watch 2015. Housed inside a 45 mm diameter red gold case is a highly complicated movement that powers hours, minutes and a Gregorian calendar (typical calendar), as well as the indications of the Chinese calendar that include: traditional double-hour indication, day, month with indication of leap months, signs of the zodiac, as well as the five elements and the 10 celestial stems.

According to the manfacturer, “The combination of the latter with the 12 animals of the zodiac that represent the terrestrial branches follows the sixty-year cycle that is central to Chinese culture. The moon phases, a key element in Blancpain complete calendars, are also presented and play a particularly important role in this model, given the link between the lunar cycle and traditional Chinese months.”

The black grand feu enamel dial features a chapter ring with applied gold hour-markers, as well as indications which were paited in gold before firing. Five Blancpain patented under lug correctors allow for adjustment of the indications. A see-through caseback provides a view of the oscillating weight the has a black champlevé enamel finish and bears the “ONLY WATCH” inscription.